India overhauled OCI from May 2026 — electronic e-OCI, fully online applications, and stricter rules. Here's what UK OCI holders should know.
Air Suvidha 2.0: India's New Health Declaration Form for International Arrivals (2026 Guide)
Updated — June 2026
India has brought back the Air Suvidha portal — now upgraded to Air Suvidha 2.0. From 25 June 2026, all international passengers arriving in India are asked to complete an online health self-declaration before they travel. Here's everything you need to know.
If you're flying to India — as an NRI, an OCI cardholder, a foreign national, or an Indian citizen returning home — there's a new step to add to your travel checklist. India has relaunched the Air Suvidha Self-Declaration Form, and it applies to everyone arriving by air, whatever your nationality or departure country.
The good news: it's free, it's quick, and you can complete it online before you fly. This guide walks you through what it is, who needs it, when to do it, and exactly how to fill it in.
The Essentials
- What: Air Suvidha 2.0 health Self-Declaration Form (SDF)
- Who: all international passengers arriving in India
- When: within 24 hours before arrival — ideally before boarding or during web check-in
- Where: the official portal at airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in
- Cost: free of charge
- Why now: health screening linked to the WHO Ebola public-health emergency
What is Air Suvidha 2.0?
Air Suvidha is India's online health-declaration system for international arrivals. It was first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and was withdrawn in late 2022 as the situation improved.
It has now returned as Air Suvidha 2.0, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The relaunch follows the World Health Organization declaring the Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May 2026, under the International Health Regulations 2005.
In simple terms: it's a short online form that helps health officials screen arriving travellers quickly and contactlessly, with no paperwork to fill on the plane or after landing.
Who needs to complete the form?
The form applies to every international passenger arriving in India — regardless of your nationality, your airline, or the country you are flying from. Whether you depart from London, Dubai, Toronto, New York, or anywhere else, the same form applies on arrival.
This includes:
- NRIs and Indian citizens returning from abroad
- OCI cardholders travelling to India
- Foreign nationals visiting India on any visa
Important for OCI cardholders: alongside Air Suvidha, OCI holders are also asked to complete the digital disembarkation (e-Arrival) form. Make sure both are done before you travel. And remember — your OCI should be correctly linked to your current passport before you fly.
When and where to fill it in
Complete the form on the official Air Suvidha portal within 24 hours before your arrival in India. The authorities recommend filling it before boarding — during web check-in is ideal — so a weak signal at the airport doesn't slow you down. It's free, and there's no app to download; you do it straight from your phone or computer.
What to keep ready
Before you start, have these to hand so you can finish in one go:
- Your passport
- Your flight details — flight number, seat number, and PNR
- Your Indian address (or foreign stay details if you have no Indian address)
- Your 21-day travel history (countries visited in the three weeks before arrival)
- A valid email address and mobile number
How to complete your declaration — step by step
1
Personal & flight details
Enter your passport details and nationality, your 21-day travel history (including any Ebola-affected countries visited in the last 21 days), your flight number, your first airport of entry in India, and any transit countries. Make sure everything matches your travel documents exactly.
2
Contact & OTP verification
Add your Indian address (or foreign stay details), email, and mobile number. A one-time password (OTP) is sent to your email and/or mobile to verify your contact details before you continue.
3
Health declaration
This step appears only if you declared exposure to Ebola-affected countries in Step 1. You'll confirm symptoms and provide a little more health information. Answer everything accurately and truthfully — providing false information is an offence under Indian law.
4
Consent & submit
Read the consent notice and declaration carefully. By submitting, you confirm your information is accurate and consent to your data being processed as set out in the portal's privacy policy. Tick the confirmation box and submit.
What happens after you submit
Once submitted, you'll receive a registration number and an acknowledgement, along with a confirmation email to your registered address. Download it, take a screenshot, or print it — and keep it handy for your journey.
On arrival in India
Show your acknowledgement (digital on your device, or a printout) at the International Travel Health Desk or immigration counter for quick, contactless clearance. Based on your declared travel and exposure history, an Airport Health Officer may carry out a short health screening — most travellers simply present their slip and move on.
A few things worth knowing
- Amendments: you can update your declaration within the amendment window shown on the portal. After it closes, changes are made through the health desk officer at the airport.
- Filling it early helps: completing it before boarding avoids airport queues and connectivity issues.
- Rules can change: requirements during a public-health emergency can be updated at short notice — check the official portal and your airline's advice close to departure.
- Need help? The health helpline (1075) is available during airport operating hours; for health emergencies, speak to the health desk officer at the airport.
Frequently asked questions
Is Air Suvidha 2.0 mandatory?
Yes — the Indian government requires all international passengers arriving in India to complete the Air Suvidha 2.0 Self-Declaration Form. Filling it in advance is strongly recommended for faster clearance.
I haven't travelled to any Ebola-affected country — do I still need to fill it?
Yes. The form applies to all international arrivals, even though the screening focuses on travellers with recent travel to or exposure in affected regions. Add it to your India travel checklist regardless.
Is there any fee for Air Suvidha?
No. The Air Suvidha form is free of cost on the official government portal. Be cautious of any website asking you to pay a "form fee" for it.
I'm an OCI cardholder — do I need to fill both Air Suvidha and the e-Arrival form?
Yes — OCI holders are asked to complete both the Air Suvidha health declaration and the digital disembarkation (e-Arrival) form. Complete both before you travel for a smooth arrival.
When exactly should I fill the form?
Within 24 hours before your arrival in India. The simplest approach is to complete it during web check-in or before boarding your flight.
What if I arrive without completing it?
You may face additional steps or delays at immigration. If you couldn't complete it in advance, follow the instructions of staff at the International Travel Health Desk on landing.
Travelling to India? Get your OCI travel-ready.
Air Suvidha is just one part of arriving smoothly. If your passport has changed, your OCI should be linked to your current passport before you fly. Matrix Solutions handles OCI linking, OCI renewal, surrender, passport and visa services for UK-based Indians — clearly and correctly.
Source: Ministry of Civil Aviation & DIAL — Air Suvidha 2.0 launch (June 2026); Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Always confirm current requirements on the official portal at airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in before you travel. This article is for general guidance and is not legal or medical advice.